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SERMON 


PREACHED  AT  THE  OPENING  OF  THE 


THEOLOGICAL   INSTITUTION 


IN  ANDOVER 


AND  AT  THE  ORDINATION  OF 


REV.  ELIPHALET  PEARSON,  LL.D. 


SEPTEMBER  28th,  1808. 


BY  REV.  TIMOTHY  DWIGHT,  D.D. 

PRESIDENT    OF    YALE    COLLEGE. 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED  BY  FARRAND,  MALLORY,  AND  CO. 

SUFFOLK  BUILDINGS,  STATE  STREET. 

Belcher  and  Armstrong',  Printers. 
1808. 


cepts,  which  they  contain.  To  this  end  it  is  necessary, 
that  he  should  thoroughly  understand  his  own  language, 
the  Latin,  the  Greek,  and  the  Hebrew.  Of  the  last  he 
cannot  be  ignorant  without  serious  disadvantages ;  nor 
of  the  three  first,  in  ordinary  circumstances,  without 
disgrace.  If  he  cannot  construe  words  and  phrases  ; 
he  cannot  settle  the  opinions,  which  they  express ;  but 
must  always  be  bewildered  in  uncertainty,  and  error. 
If  he  io  not  versed  in  his  own  language ;  he  cannot  un- 
derstand the  books  which  he  reads,  nor  communicate 
his  sentiments  as  he  wishes.  In  ancient  History,  both 
civil  and  ecclesiastical,  he  ought  to  be  well  read ;  be- 
cause, otherwise,  he  will  not  know  the  meaning  of  the 
numerous  Scriptural  allusions  to  the  former,  nor  the 
state  of  the  Church,  as  unfolded  in  the  latter ;  and  be- 
cause a  large  part  of  the  proofs  of  a  divine  Revelation 
rest  upon  the  facts,  furnished  by  both.  He  ought  to 
be  thoroughb/  acquainted  with  Logic,  because,  other- 
wise, he  cannot  reason  with  skill,  or  success ;  with 
Rhetoric,  because  it  is  necessary  to  teach  him  how  to 
write,  and  speak,  with  propriety  and  force  ;  with  Nat- 
ural Theology,  because  it  is  a  branch  of  his  profes- 
sional science,  and  because  the  Scriptures  have  made 
it  a  part,  and  a  fundamental  one,  of  the  Religion  which 
he  teaches ;  and  with  Christian  Theology,  because  it 
constitutes  the  principal  business  of  his  office.  Gene- 
rally, his  mind  ought  to  be  variously,  and  extensively, 
furnished  with  useful  knowledge  ;  because,  otherwise, 
his  vieM' s  will  be  contracted ;  his  illustrations  of  divine 
truth  inapposite,  uninstructivc,  and  unsatisfactory  ;  and 
his  ijTiages  few,  poor,  and  often  low  and  disgusting. 


He  is  set  for  the  defence  of  the  truth ;  and  must, 
therefore,  be  furnished  with  the  necessary  weapons  of 
defence.  He  is  to  teach  others  ;  and,  thereforje,  ought 
to  be  able  to  teach.  Without  this  knowledge  he  may, 
indeed,  as  it  is  indispensable  that  he  should,  be  a  good 
man  ;  but  he  will  not  be  a  good  teacher.  Every  one, 
who  hears  him,  may  address  to  him  the  humiliating 
and  unanswerable  proverb  ;  "  Physician,  heal  thyself." 

That  a  Religious  Instructor  ought  to  have  his  mind 
thus  stored  with  the  knowledge,  suited  to  his  employ- 
ment, is  forcibly  taught  in  the  text.  It  is  also  exhib- 
ited with  equal  force  in  other  parts  of  the  Scriptures. 

The  ancient  instructors  of  the  Jews  were  the  Priests^ 
and  the  Prophets  ;  the  ordinary,  and  extraordinary, 
Ministers  of  God  to  his  people.  The  Priests  were  re- 
quired to  teach  the  children  of  Israel  all  the  statutes, 
which  ^/«?  Lord  had  spoken  by  the  hand  of  Moses. ^ 
Accordingly,  Moses  prophesied  of  them,  that  they 
should  teach  the  law^  and  the  judgments^  of  God  to  Is- 
rael ■\  in  succeeding  generations.  By  the  Prophet 
Malachi,  God  testifies  concerning  them,  that  the  law  of 
truth  was  in  their  mouth,  and  that  they  turned  away 
many  from  their  iniquity.  "  For  the  Pries  fs  lips,''*  he 
subjoins,  '-^should  keep  knowledge  ;  and  they  should 
seek  law  at  his  mouth.^^X  ^^  the  Priest's  lips  were  to 
keep  knowledge ;  his  mind  must  have  obtained  it.  If 
the  people  were  to  seek  the  law  at  his  mouth ;  he  must 
have  previously  learned,  and  understood,  the  law.  It 
ought  not  to  be  forgotten,  that,  in  this  passage,  the 
Prophet  has  connected  with  the  knowledge  of  the  law 

•♦  Lev.  10.  11.  t  Dent.  33.  10.  t  Mai.  2. 


integrity  of  instruction,  rectitude  of  life,  and  a  minis- 
trj',  successful  in  turning  many  from  their  iniquit}'. 

It  is  dccliired  by  the  Jewish  Rabbins,  and  is  adopted 
from  them  by  Lightfoot,  that  some,  at  least,  of  the 
cities,  distributed  to  the  Levites,  were  universities,  de- 
\oted  to  the  education  of  those  who  belonged  to  that 
tribe. 

The  Prophets  were  extraordinary  Ministers  to  the 
people  of  Israel.  It  is  well  known,  that  they  were  in- 
spired ;  or  that  the  will  of  God  was,  from  time  to 
time,  immediately  revealed  to  them.  It  is  also  well 
known,  that  they  were  carefully  educated  to  their  pro- 
fession in  schools,  consecrated  to  this  purpose.  •  Rama- 
thaim  Zophim,  or  Tsophim^  i.  e.  the  Ramaths  of  the 
See7's,  contained  the  first  of  these  schools,  spoken  of  in 
the  Scriptures.  Over  this  school  Samuel  presided. 
Others  were  afterwards  erected  in  other  places  ;  and 
were  superintended,  probably,  by  Elijah,  Elisha,  Na- 
thati.  Gad,  and  other  Prophets,  in  their  respective  times. 
After  the  captivitv,  schools,  generally  of  the  same  na- 
ture, were  set  up  at  Babylon,  and  elsewhere  :  some  of 
which  were  holden  in  high  repute  by  the  Jewish  nation. 

That  God  was  pleased  to  educate  men,  destined  by 
him  to  receive  the  spirit  of  inspiration,  under  the  most 
enlightened  Instructors  of  their  respective  ages,  is  a 
strong  and  decisis  e  argument  for  the  liberal  education 
of  men  to  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel.  There  is,  how- 
e\"cr,  a  fact,  which  furnishes  an  argument  of  still  great- 
er strength,  and  more  decisive  efficacy.  Christ  se- 
lected his  Apostles  for  the  great  ^vork  of  preaching  the 
gospel  to  mankind.     Exclusively  of  St.  Paul,  who  was 


educated  In  all  the  learning  of  the  Jexvs^  and  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  in  that  of  the  Greeks,  He  himself 
taught  all  his  Apostles  with  his  own  mouth,  nacre,  ac- 
cording to  the  common  opinion,  than  three  years,  and, 
in  mine,  more  than  four.  Never  was  there  such  a 
Teacher  :  never  such  a  luminous  course  of  Instruc- 
tion. How  immensely  important  they  esteemed  it  we 
know  froni  their  own  testimony,  and  from  the  daily 
and  extensive  use  which  they  made  of  these  instruc- 
tions in  their  preaching  and  writings.  Yet  these  men 
were  destined  by  their  Master  to  receive  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  a  degree  totally  transcend- 
ing that,  which  had  been  vouchsafed  to  any  other 
Prophets. 

These  illustrations,  if  I  mistake  not,  place  the  im^ 
portance  of  an  enlightened  education  to  those,  who  are 
designed  for  the  Evangelical  Ministry,  in  a  light,  which 
nothing  can  obscure  ;  and  lend  to  it  a  sanction,  which 
nothing  can  lessen. 

What  is  thus  unequivocally,  and  so  strongly,  enforc- 
ed by  the  Scriptures,  Reason  and  Experience  urge 
upon  mankind  with  their  united  voice.  Reason  pro- 
claims, that  an  ignorant  teacher  is  necessarily  a  mere 
Empiric,  professing  to  communicate  what  he  does  not 
possess.  Experience  testifies,  that  all  such  Teachers 
distribute  to  their  hearers  chaff  instead  of  wheat ;  and 
that  they  are  so  far  from  being  able  to  furnish  food  for 
men,  as  to  be  incapable  of  supplying  the  milk,  which  is 
necessary  for  babes. 

There  are,  however,  many  persons  in  this  and  other 
Christian  countries,  who  declare,  both  in  their  Ian- 


guage  and  ccxnduct,  that  the  desk  ought  to  be  yielded 
up  to  the  occupancy  of  Ignorance.  While  they  de- 
mand a  ^even-years-apprenticeship,  for  the  purpose  of 
learning  to  make  a  shoe,  or  an  axe  ;  they  suppose  the 
system  of  Providence,  together  with  the  numerous, 
and  frequently  abstruse,  doctrines  and  precepts,  con- 
tained in  the  Scriptures,  may  be  all  comprehended 
without  learning,  labour,  or  time.  While  they  insist, 
equally  with  others,  that  their  property  shall  be  man- 
aged by  skilful  agents,  their  judicial  causes  directed 
by  learned  advocates,  and  their  children,  when  sick, 
attended  by  able  physicians  ;  they  are  satisfied  to  place 
tliigir  Religion,  their  souls,  and  their  salvation,  under 
the  guidance  of  quackery.  Among  these  people,  men 
become  preachers  in  a  moment  ;  and  put  on  the  quali- 
fications for  the  Ministry,  as  they  put  on  a  coat.  Mul- 
titudes of  them  can  neither  speak,  nor  write,  nor  even 
read,  English  with  propriety.  They  can  neither  ex- 
plain, nor  understand,  the  great  body  of  Scriptural  pas- 
sages. They  profess  themselves  to  be  set  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  truth  ;  and  yet  know  not  what  the  truth 
is,  nor  what  are  the  means  of  defending  it.  Should 
the  Gospel  be  attacked  by  an  Infidel  ;  they  are  unable 
either  to  answer  his  objections,  or  to  tell  what  are  the 
proofs,  on  which  its  authority  rests  as  a  Revelation  from 
God.  Should  the  translation  of  a  text  be  called  in 
question  ;  they  could  neither  explain,  nor  defend  it. 
Should  a  geographical,  or  historical  fact  be  mentioned ; 
or  a  local  custom  alluded  to  {  \t  might,  so  far  as  they 
are  concerned,  as  well  have  been  written  in  ArabiCy  as 
in  English. 


At  the  same  time,  men  of  this  character  are  incapable 
of  the  decorum,  and  dignity,  which  are  indispensable  in 
the  desk.  By  mankind,  at  large,  Religion  is  primarily 
seen  in  its  Ministers  ;  and,  in  the  common  apprehen- 
sion, almost  necessarily  takes  the  degree  of  reputation 
and  importance,  which  it  actually  sustains,  from  the 
manner,  in  which  it  is  exhibited  by  the7n.  If  Ministers 
are  respectable  ;  Religion  will  by  mankind  in  general 
be  respected.  If  they  are  grave  ;  it  will  be  regarded 
with  seriousness.  If  they  are  intelligent  ;  it  will  be 
believed  to  be  a  compend  of  wisdom.  If  they  are  re- 
fined ;  it  will  be  supposed  actually  to  refine  and  purify 
man.  If  they  are  dignified  ;  it  will  be  believed  to  be 
noble.  If  they  are  pious ;  it  will  be  acknowledged  to 
be  real. 

But  if,  on  the  contrary.  Ministers  are  contemptible  ; 
Religion  will  be  despised.  If  they  exhibit  levity  in 
their  manners  ;  it  will  be  considered  as  a  mere  collec- 
tion of  trifles.  If  they  are  ignorant ;  it  will  be  suppos- 
ed to  be  a  mass  of  folly.  If  they  are  vulgar  ;  it  will 
be  regarded,  not  by  superior  minds  only,  but  ultimate- 
ly by  the  people  at  large,  as  a  system  of  grovelling 

I  doctrines,  and  debasing  precepts,  lowering  the  charac- 
ter of  man  to  a  degree,  beneath  even  his  natural  de- 
gradation. If  their  deportment  exhibits,  on  the  whole, 
meanness  and  littleness  of  character  ;  Religion  itself 

i|    will  sink  down  to  their  level  ;  and  become  the  subject 

II  _  of  disgrace,  and  the  object  of  scorn  and  ridicule. 

I  will  not  occupy  the  time  of  this  assembly  in  refut- 
ing, any  farther,  the  miserable  shifts,  and  impious  pre- 
I    tensions,  by  which  these  men  endea^-our  to  support 


10 

themselves  in  this  wretched  cause.  Without  a  shadow 
of  ai'gument  in  its  favour,  it  can  be  embraced  only  by 
imposture,  ignorance,  or  enthusiasm  ;  and  must  al- 
ways shrink, from  the  touch  of  sober  investigation. 
That  it  will  continue  to  engross  the  attachment,  and 
the  labours,  of  many  persons  in  this  and  other  Chris- 
tian countries,  is  certainly  to  be  expected  :  foT  it  must 
needs  be,  that  offences  come  ;  but  woe  to  that  man,  by 
'Whom  the  offence  cometh.  All  that  can  be  done  by  the 
friends  of  Christianity,  toAvards  an  effectual  resistance 
against  this  evil,  is  to  lessen,  as  far  as  may  be,  the  in- 
fluence of  those  causes,  from  which  it  springs  ;  and 
thus  to  prevent  the  existence  of  their  effects.  The  In- 
stitution, whose  birth  we  are  this  day  assembled  to 
celebrate,  is  designed,  peculiarly,  to  accomplish  this 
invaluable  end.  Its  efficacy  may  in  some  measure  be 
understood  from  the  following  considerations. 

1st.  It  is  the  design  of  this  Institution  to  furnish  stu- 
dents with  a  siffcient  opportunity  to  prepare  themselves 
for  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel. 

For  this  end,  it  not  only  offers  them  gratuitous  in- 
struction, and  the  gratuitous  use  of  such  books,  as  are 
fitted  to  this  purpose  ;  but  provides  for  them,  also,  at 
least  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  buildings  in  which 
they  are  to  live,  and  the  necessary  expences  of  living. 
It  has  long  been  a  frequent,  and  unhappily  a  too  well 
^founded,  complaint,  that  Theological  students  were,  in 
many  instances,  forced  into  the  desk,  very  imperfectly 
fitted  for  their  profession,  because  their  pecuniary  cir- 
cumstances would  not  permit  them  to  pursue  their 
studies  through  a  sufficient  length    of  time.      The 


11 

foundation  of  this  complaint,  it  is  hoped,'  will  here,  in  a 
great  measure,  be  taken  away  ;  and  young  men,  des- 
tined for  the  Ministry,  be  furnished  with  those  accom- 
modations for  their  great  purpose,  which  will  enable 
them  to  pursue  it  through  such  a  period,  as  wise  and 
good  judges  shall  deem  necessary.  The  stated  period 
will  probably  be  thought  sufficient ;  when  it  is  remem- 
bered, that  each  student  will  previously  have  obtained 
a  regular  and  liberal  education. 

2dly.  A  library  will  be  furnished^  sufficiently  various y 
and  extensive^  for  the  purposes  intended. 

As  the  books,  involved  in  this  part  of  the  Institu- 
tion, will  all  be  selected  solely  for  the  benefit  of  those, 
who  are  to  use  them ;  they  will  probably  yield  advan- 
tages, which  can  be  enjoyed,  elsewhere,  only  by  means 
of  much  more  extensive  collections. 

3dly.  Professors  will  he  established  in  the  five  great 
divisions  of  theological  education  :  Natural  Theology^ 
Christian  Theology,  Sacred  Literature,  Ecclesiastical 
History,  and  the  Eloquence  of  the  Desk.  To  these  it 
may,  hereafter,  be  thought  expedient  to  add  a  Profes-, 
sor  of  the  Oriental  Languages. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  observe,  that  each  of 
tliese  branches  of  Theological  Learning  is  sufficiently 
extended,  and  various,  to  demand,  and  to  exhaust,  the 
utmost  talents  of  a  single  man  ;  or  tliat  the  instruction 
in  each,  which  will  be  highly  profitable  to  students  in 
Theology,  may  advantageously  employ  the  whole  time, 
and  labour,  of  the  most  learned  Professor. 

In  this  country,  hitherto,  such  students,  after  having 
completed  a  regular  course  of  Collegiate  education. 


12 

have  generally,  and  necessarily,  been  placed  under  the 
tutelage  of  parochial  Ministers.  An  individual,  in  this 
case,  has  furnished  all  their  professional  instruction  ; 
and  that  while  encumbered  by  the  superintendance  of 
a  parish,  and  the  labour  of  writing,  and  preaching,  two 
sermons  in  a  week.  Of  this  subject  I  speak  with  con- 
fidence, because  I  speak  from  experience  ;  and  cannot 
but  have  learned,  in  this  way,  the  embarrassments,  in- 
separable from  a  course  of  instruction,  so  interwoven 
with  other  perplexing  concerns.  Were  an  Instructor 
ever  so  competent :  it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to 
command  sufficient  time  to  communicate  the  knowl- 
edge, which  ought  to  be  considered  as  indispensable. 
Even  the  principal  things  must  be  summarily  taught. 
The  r€st,  both  numerous  and  important,  must  be  either 
barely  glanced  at,  or  wholly  passed  over.  The  true 
reason,  why  so  many  able  and  excellent  divines  have 
existed  in  this  country,  does  not  lie  in  their  prepara- 
tory advantages,  but  in  their  talents,  their  fidelity,  ancj 
their  subsequent  vigorous  application  to  study. 

In  the  present  case  these  disadvantages  are  removed. 
Men  of  known  reputation  are  here  selected  for  the  pur- 
poses of  studying,  and  instructing,  severally,  each  of 
these  great  divisions  of  Theological  knowledge  :  and 
this  to  each  of  them  becomes  the  business  of  life.  They 
are  secluded  from  all  other  employments ;  and  encum- 
bered by  no  other  cares,  beside  those,  which  are  uni- 
versally incident  to  man.  Ample  opportunity,  there- 
fore, to  make  extensive  acquisitions  is  here  furnished 
to  them  all  ;  to  arrange  into  system  whatever  they  ac- 
quire ;  to  correct  whatever  they  find  erroneous  ;  and 


13 

to  teach  with  regularity  and  method  the  results  of  their 
various  labours. 

At  the  same  time,  they  will  direct  with  similar  re- 
gularity that  course  of  reading,  which  is  best  suited  to 
a  Theological  education  ;  demand  of  their  students 
those  exercises,  which  will  render  what  they  read  their 
OAvn  ;  watch  attentively  their  moral  and  religious  de- 
portment ;  withdraw  them  from  errors  ;  reprove  them 
for  faults  ;  warn  them  of  dangers  ;  and  endeavour, 
universally,  to  increase  their  knowledge  of  experiment- 
tal  piety. 

4thly.  Stiiderits  may  here  derive  peculiar  advantages 
from  each  other. 

It  is  reasonably  believed,  that  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  youths  will  ultimately  assemble  in  this  place,  for 
the  purpose  of  obtaining  an  education  for  the  Ministry ; 
and  will  naturally  be  united  to  each  other  in  the  bonds 
of  friendship.  All  Ministers  ought  to  be  friends.  To 
this  end,  however,  some  knowledge  of  each  other  is  no 
less  necessary,  than  mutual  good  will.  When  Minis- 
ters are  educated  separately,  and  solitarily,  this  knowl- 
edge, in  ordinary  cases,  cannot  exist ;  and,  when  it  ac- 
tually exists,  must  often  be  very  imperfect.  Here, 
being  educated  together,  being  of  the  same  age,  pupils 
of  the  same  Instructors,  tenants  of  the  same  buildings, 
engaged  in  the  same  delightful  pursuits,  and  actuated, 
as  we  may  reasonably  hope,  by  the  same  spirit,  the}' 
can  hardly  fail  to  be  of  one  accord,  and  of  one  mind. 
The  friendships,  formed  in  youth,  are  peculiarly  inti- 
mate and  endearing.  "The  very  phrase,  "  A  friend  of 
my  youth,"  carries  with  it  an  image,  which  few  m€i> 


14 

survey  without  delightful  emotions.  The  friendships, 
formed  here,  will,  it  is  believed,  spring  from  the  best 
of  all  sources  ;  Evangelical  Virtue.  They  will,  also, 
be  strongly  cemented  by  oneness  of  age,  education,  cir- 
cumstances, and  pursuits.  They  will,  therefore,  last 
through  life  ;  will  have  a  powerful  influence  on  the 
character  and  conduct  ;  will  extend  their  efficacy  over 
every  part  of  this  land ;  and  will  effect,  in  the  happiest 
manner,  all  the  moral  and  religious  interests  of  its  in- 
habitants. 

5thly.   The  doctrines^  which  will  be  taught  here^  are 
the  doctrines  of  the  reformation. 

These  are  the  doctrines,  generally  taught  in  the 
creeds,  catechisms,  and  confessions,  of  almost  all  Pro- 
testant Churches.  They  are  the  doctrines,  conveyed 
down  to  us  from  the  earliest  periods  of  the  Church  by 
that  body  of  Christians,  to  whom  the  title  of  Orthodox 
was  peculiarly  applied,  both  by  tliemselves  and  their 
opposers.  They  are  the  doctrines,  brought  with  them 
by  those  eminently  good  men,  who  converted  New- 
England  from  a  desert  into  a  garden.  They  are  the 
doctrines,  under  which  almost  all  Revivals  of  Religion 
have  existed.  They  are,  therefore,  the  doctrines, 
which  have  peculiar  claims  to  be  acknowledged  as 
those  of  the  Apostles.  An  Institution,  which  provides 
extensive  and  permanent  instruction  in  Religious  knowl- 
edge, of  such  a  nature,  sets  up,  in  this  manner,  the  best 
human  barrier  against  error  ;  and  furnishes  the  best 
means,  within  the  reach  of  man,  for  the  general  diffu- 
sion, and  perpetuation,  of  the  truth,  influence^  and 
blessings,  of  the  Gospel. 


15 

Finally.  A  general  controid  aver  all  these  subjects  is 
vested  in  the  Boards  of  Trustees^  and  Visitors^  cojistitut- 
ed  by  the  Founders. 

These  Boards,  it  is  hoped,  will  feel  in  a  deep  and 
affecting  manner  the  importance  of  the  trust,  commit- 
ted to  their  hands ;  and  with  fervent  prayers.  Evan- 
gelical zeal,  and  Cluistian  fidelity, labour,  unceasingly, 
to  render  the  Institution,  in  all  respects,  extensively 
iind  eminently  useful.  Where  so  much  has  been  done 
for  so  good  a  purpose  ;  it  ought  to  be  hoped,  that  no 
beneficial  effect  of  such  efforts  will  fail  of  being  realiz- 
ed by  the  Church  of  Christ,  either  through  negligence, 
or  error,  on  the  part  of  those,  to  whom  the  general 
management  of  it  is  entrusted. 

We  ai*e  assembled,  my  Friends  and  Brethi'en,  on 
the  birth  day  of  an  Institution,  consecrated  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Redeemer,  and  destined  to  furnish  a  suc- 
cession of  able  and  faithful  Ministers  for  the  City  of 
our  God.  Those,  to  Whom^/ze  immediate  care  of  it  is 
committed,  cannot  fail  to  realize  the  importance  of  that 
solemn  office,  which  they  will  this  day  begin  to  sus- 
tain. They  will,  however,  suffer  me  to  assume  the 
task,  not  of  an  Instructor  ;  as  unnecessaiy  to  them  as 
unsuited  to  me  ;  but  of  an  affectionate  and  Christian 
Monitor,  disposed  with  fraternal  good-will  to  awaken 
iji  them,  on  this  interesting  occasion,  the  remembrance 
of  their  duty. 

When  Christ  ascended  on  high^  and  led  captivity  cap- 
tive ;  he  gave  gifts  unto  men.  Among  these  gifts, 
Pastors  and  Teachers  were,  after  the  Apostles,  more 
important  than  any  other.     These  are  the  persons,  by 


16 

whose  instrumentality  the  salvation  of  their  fellovv-meif  ^ 
in  all  lands  and  ages,  is  chiefly  accomplished.  These 
are  the  pillars,  on  which,  in  this  world,  primarily 
stands  that  glorious  building,  the  Church  of  God. 
From  the  faithful  labours  of  these  men,  as  instruments 
in  the  hands  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  have  been  derived 
the  prevalence  of  the  Gospel  in  the  world,  thp  *-''jrrr'  s 
of  the  cross,  the  religion  of  the  East  and  the  West,  and 
the  immortal  life  of  millions,  who  are  now  united  to  the 
general  assembly  of  the  first  born. 

To  form,  and  accomplish,  for  this  sacred,  this  celes- 
tial office,  such  youths,  as  spontaneously  devote  them- 
selves to  it,  is  the  design,  for  which  this  School  of  the 
Prophets  is  erected.  To  this  noble  design,  you,  my 
Brethren,  are  solemnly  set  apart  this  day.  I  feel  my- 
self warranted  to  assert,  that  you  will  think  no  labour, 
no  care,  no  self-denial,  too  great  to  be  cheerfully  en- 
countered in  this  honourable  employment. 

To  compass  this  divine  purpose,  it  is  indispensable, 
that  he,  who  is  destined  to  the  Ministry,  should  be 
effectually  instructed  unto  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  He 
must  not  be  a  Novice^  lest,  being  lifted  up  with  pride^ 
he  fall  into  the  condemnation  of  the  devil.  The  Truth 
of  God,  alone  makes  mtwfree  from  the  bondage  of  sin 
and  death.  But  he,  w  ho  is  to  preach  it,  must  know  what 
it  is  ;  or  he  will  never  be  able  to  communicate  it  to 
his  hearers.  To  this  knowledge  laborious  study,  and 
sound  instruction,  are  the  only  avenues.  Without  these 
advantages  the  professed  Teacher  may  indeed  be  a 
Christian,  but  he  cannot  be  a  Teacher.  Children  and 
slaves  may  be  Cluistians. 


17 

Equally  indispensable  is  it,  that  he  should  believe  the 
truth.  Whatever  knowledge  he  may  have  amassed  of 
this  glorious  object,  whatever  acquaintance  he  may  have 
gained  with  the  Scriptures,  it  can,  obviousl}%  be  to  no 
useful  purpose,  so  far  as  his  Ministry  is  concerned,  or 
the  salvation  of  his  flock,  unless  he  also  believes  the 
doctrines,  which  they  contain.  What  he  does  not  be- 
lieve he  will  never  teach,  and  they  will  never  hear.  The 
Bible  may  in  the  most  extensive  manner  be  in  his  mind ; 
and  Plato  or  Epictetus,  Behmen  or  Sxvedenhorg^  Hume 
or  Herbert^  may  fill  his  sermons.  All  his  public  and 
private  instructions  may  be  made  up  of  the  bew  ildered 
dreams  of  enthusiasm,  or  the  frosty  morals  of  heartless 
philosophy  ;  and  be  as  destitute  of  Evangelical  trutli,  as 
barren  of  hope,  and  hfe,  as  a  Nubian  desert.  Fifty-two 
times  in  a  year  the  Sabbath  may  dawn  with  the  light  of 
heaven,  the  Sanctuary  open  the  gates  of  immortality,  the 
assembly  of  perishing  sinners  convene,  and  the  Minister 
ascend  the  sacred  desk  ;  and  yet  no  call  of  Mercy  be 
heard  ;  no  voice  of  the  Redeemer  summon  them  to  re- 
pentance, and  faith,  and  love  ;  and  no  invitation  of  a 
forgiving  God  announce  to  them  the  tidings  of  immor- 
tal glory.  Under  such  a  Teacher,  his  flock  will  grope 
for  the  wall  like  the  blind,  and  grope  as  if  they  had  no 
eyes  ;  stumble  at  noon  day  as  in  the  night  ;  and  will  be 
in  desolate  places  as  dead  men.'^-  Throughout  his  whole 
Ministiy  he  will  be  merely  a  substitute  for  a  Christian 
Pastor  ;  an  automaton,  in  the  place,  and  dress,  and 
business,  of  a  living  man. 

*  Isaiah  59.  10. 


18 

What  must  be  the  feelings  of  such  a  Preacher  at  the 
gi'eat  day  of  account  ?  "  F<?,"  said  St.  Paul  to  his  own 
converts  in  Corinth,  Philippic  and  Thessalonica,  ''^  are 
our  hope,  our  joy,  and  our  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  clay 
of  Christ  Jesus y     But  who  shall  be  the  crown,  the  joy, 
or  the  hope,  of  such  a  Preacher  as  this  ?    When  he 
stands  before  the  final  Judge  ;  what  must  be  the  sub- 
jects of  his  account  ?  When  he  confesses,  as  he  will  be 
compelled  to  confess,  that  he  has  preached  another  Gos- 
pel, than  that  which  Paid  preached  ;    must  he  not  be 
withered  by  the  remembrance,  that  the  same  Judge  has 
said  of  every  such  Preacher,  "  Let  him  be  anathema  V 
What  plea  will  he  make  for  intruding  upon  the  preroga- 
tive of  Jehovah,  and  substituting  for  ^^  truth,  the 
contrivances,   the  whims,    the  plirenzies,  of  his  own 
moon- struck  mind  ?    What  can  such  a  man  rehearse 
before  the  tremendous  bar  of  God,  but  wasted  talents, a 
prostituted  Ministry,  dishonest  sermons,  and  a  ruined 
Congregation  ?    In  the  mean  time,  his  flock,  committed 
to  his  charge,  that  they  might  obtain  salvation  imder  his 
preaching,  and  now  summoned  around  him  to  be  wit- 
nesses of  his  condemnation,  and  of  the  guilt  on  which  it 
is  founded,  must,  unltfss  prevented  by  other  means,  only 
share  in  his  ruin.     On  their  salvation  such  a  man  can 
never  have  spent  a  thought,  nor  employed  a  moment. 
With  what  confusion  must  he  now  behold  them  all  led 
by  himself  into  the  broad  and  crooked  road,  which  goes 
doxvn  to  the  chambers  of  death  ?    Without  an  attempt 
made,  or  a  wish  cherished,  to  feed  them  with  the  bread, 
or  gather  them  into  the  fold,  of  life,  he  has  quietly  be- 
held them  advance,  or  has  rather  taken  them  by  the 


19 

hand,  and  walked  coolly  by  their  side,  to  the  world  of 
perdition.  With  what  feelings  must  such  a  Minister, 
and  such  a  Flock,  regard  each  other  at  this  amazing  in- 
terview ?  With  what  agony  must  he  behold  their  eter- 
nal ruin ;  and  know,  that  it  has  been  extensively  deriv- 
ed from  himself  ?  How  fearfully  must  their  eyes  kindle,  . 
and  their  bosoms  burn,  with  resentment,  against  the 
author  of  injuries,  which  transcend  all  limits,  and  of 
sufferings,  which  know  neither  alleviation  nor  end  ? 

It  is,  also,  of  the  last  consequence,  that  the  Preacher 
should  feel  the  truth,  which  he  knows,  and  believes. 
A  cold  Preacher  naturally  makes  a  frozen  audience. 
The  truths  of  the  Gospel  are  of  such  immense  import 
in  themselves,  that  it  is  difficult  for  a  hearer  to  believe 
the  Preacher,  who  utters  them  with  a  wind-and- weather 
indifference,  to  be  in  earnest.  Should  he  escape  this 
censure,  the  sympathy  (if  I  may  call  it  such)  of  a  stag- 
nant countenance,  a  marbled  posture,  and  a  lifeless 
tongue,  will  reach  every  heart  in  his  Congregation  ;  and 
benumb  with  a  paralytic  power  all  the  living,  ^\^aking 
energy  of  the  mind.  A  religious  assembly,  habitually 
thus  addressed,  will  soon  become  a  counteq^art  to  one 
of  those  silent  Congregations,  depicted  in  Eastern  tales ; 
over  which  a  Genie  has  stretched  his  mysterious  ^vand, 
and  changed  them  all  into  living  statues  :  an  assembly 
of  forms  and  features  merely  ;  possessed  of  minds  in- 
deed, but  minds  which  have  lost  the  power  to  act,  of 
eyes  which  cannot  see,  and  ears  which  cannot  hear.  A 
spectator,  uninformed  of  the  transmutation  which  they 
have  undergone,  believes  them  to  be  human  beings. 
He  calls  to  them  ;  hut  no  voice  answers  ;  no  eve  tiu'ns 


20 

tovs^ard  him  the  look  of  consciousness ;  no  motion,  no 
instinctive  impulse,  gives  the  sign  of  remaining  life. 
Lost  in  astonishment,  he  looks  around  him,  to  find  in 
this  crowd  of  images  living  men  and  women  ;  but  dis- 
cerns nothing  beside  silence,  solitude,  and  death.  The 
surrounding  walls,  mistaken  by  him  for  the  residence 
of  intelligent  beings,  are  changed  into  a  vault,  entomb* 
ing  the  remains  of  departed  man.  Amazed,  over- 
whelmed, despairing  of  any  future  return  of  thought, 
and  sense,  and  life,  to  these  inanimate  forms,  he  throws 
around  the  last  gaze  of  horror,  sighs,  trembles,  and  re- 
tires. Who  would  willingly  be  such  a  Preacher  ?  Who 
could  consent  thus  to  benumb  the  flock,  whose  immor- 
tal welfare  ^vas  committed  to  him  by  the  Redeemer  ? 
Who,  let  me  further  ask,  could  be  the  voluntary  in- 
strument of  educating  such  Preachers  as  these  ?  Who 
Avould  not  think  life  well  spent  in  educating  those  of  the 
contrary  character  ? 

Trace,  my  beloved  Bretliren,  now  to  be  solemnly  in- 
ducted into  these  Christian  professorships,  (one  of  you 
for  a  length  of  time  already  employed  in  the  Ministry  ; 
the  other  still  longer  devoted  to  it,  and  on  this  occasion 
to  be  solemnly  consecrated  to  its  official  duties;)  trace, 
with  me,  the  high  import,  and  immense  utiHty,  of  the 
pastoral  function.  Take  the  simplest  object,  by  which 
it  can  be  illustrated  :  a  single  Sinner,  making  liis  escape 
from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty, 
and  ^x)A  privileges,  of  the  Sons  of  God.  See  him  hum- 
bled in  the  dust  under  an  overwhelming  sense  of  his 
guilt,  and  voluntarily  prostrated  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 
Emptied  of  all  reliance  on  his  own  righteousness,  and 


21 

casting  an  eye  of  trembling  faith  towards  that  of  the 
Redeemer,  he  becomes  a  suppUant  for  mere  mercy ; 
and  commits  his  all  into  the  hands  of  Sovereign  love. 
From  this  period,  light  arises  to  him  in  the  midst  of  the 
darkness,  by  which  he  was  surrounded.  Hope,  serene, 
mild,  and  cheerful,  as  a  morning  of  Paradise,  daA\ns  upon 
his  anxious  mind ;  and  a  beam  of  mercy  plays  around 
his  broken  heart.  The  rebel  has  now  become  a  peni- 
tent, and  a  disciple.  The  prodigal  has  fled  from  the 
wilderness  of  famine  and  despair ;  and  in  all  his  rags 
and  wretchedness  is  tracing  his  weaiy  way  to  the  house 
of  his  father,  the  mansion  of  everlasting  peace,  abund- 
ance, and  delight.  Insthictively  he  cries  out,  at  the 
distant  sight  of  this  Glorious  Being,  "  Father,  I  have 
sinned  agai?ist  heaven,  and  before  thee  ;  and  am  no  more 
worthy  to  be  called  thy  son.  Make  me^as  one  of  thy 
hired  senmnts.^''  Angels  have  renewed  their  joy,  to 
see  an  immortal  mind,  once  lost  to  the  di\ine  kingdom, 
found  again.  The  assembly  of  the  first  born  ha\'e  be- 
held with  transport  an  Intelligent  creature,  -once  hope- 
lessly dead,  again  alive,  to  live  forever.  Trace  this  re- 
jiewed  child  of  Adam  through  the  remainder  of  his  life ; 
struggling,  feebly  indeed,  but  faithfully,  in  the  honor- 
able conflict  against  lust,  and  sin,  and  Satan,  and 
through  the  grace  of  God  struggling  with  success- 
Behold  him  a  child  of  the  Highest ;  a  follower  of  the 
Lamb  ;  a  blessing  to  himself;  and  a  blessing  to  man- 
kind ;  throughout  his  earthly  pilgrimage.  Accompany 
him  to  his  dying  bed ;  a  place,  to  the  wicked,  curtained 
Avith  terror,remorse,andagony,and  openingtothat  melan- 
rholy  region,  which  is  overspread  ^^ith  the  blackness  of 


22 

darkness  forevei'.  Here,  sustained  by  an  unseen,  Al- 
mighty hand,  self  approved,  approved  of  God,  his  soul 
stands  on  the  awful  verge  of  eternity,  serene,  collected, 
superior  to  alarm,  and  smiling  in  conscious  safety.  At 
the  call  of  its  Maker,  awful  but  delightful,  it  bids  a 
cheerful  adieu  to  these  regions  of  sin  and  sorrow ;  and, 
stretching  its  pinions  for  its  final  home,  wings  its  flight 
through  the  immeasurable  vast,  directed  by  an  unerring 
and  invisible  Guide,  to  the  place  of  its  happy  destina- 
tion. Burst  the  veil,  which  hides  the  unseen  world 
from  mortal  eyes ;  and  follow  this  renovated  man  to  the 
bar  of  God.  Listen,  while  the  awful  Judge  pronounces, 
"  Well  done^  good  and  faithful  servant.  Thou  hast  been 
faithful  over  a  few  things :  I  will  make  thee  Ruler  over 
many  things;  enter  thou  into  the  joy  o/*  ?/zy  Lord." 
Pursue  his  entrance  into  that  happy  world.  See  the 
gates  of  life  open  to  receive  him.  Hear  the  songs 
of  transport  and  triumph,  and  survey  with  hum- 
ble adoration  the  smiles  of  infinite  complacency, 
which  welcome  his  arri^-al.  Behold  him  begin  the  im- 
mortal career  of  wisdom,  virtue,  glory,  and  felicity; 
and  unceasingly  advance  from  this  happy  goal  in  the 
ascending  progress  towards  perfection.  See  him  day 
by  day  brighter,  and  better,  and  happier ;  more  lovely 
in  the  sight  of  God  ;  a  richer  blessing  to  the  universe  ; 
a  more  glorious  ornament  to  the  divine  kingdom; 
through  ages,  which  cannot  end.  Of  all  these  AA^onder 
ful  blessings,  and  of  preventing  the  evils  of  endless  sin 
and  endless  woe ;  the  wi-etched  character,  and  dreadful 
reward,  of  the  impenitent ;  Ministers  are  the  chief  in- 
struments in  the  hand  of   God.     How  immense  is  the 


23 

evil  prevented,  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  good  achieved 
on  the  other  ?  Extend  both  considerations  to  hundreds, 
to  thousands,  to  milhons,  of  immortal  beings ;  and  you 
cannot  fail  to  feel  the  nature,  the  importance,  the  glory, 
of  the  pastoral  office. 

In  this  solemn  and  sublime  object,  of  importance  lit- 
erally boundless,  you  cannot  but  find  motives,  which 
acknowledge  no  limit,  to  the  vigorous  and  faithful  dis- 
charge of  your  professional  duties.  To  these  motives 
let  me  add  others,  to  animate  you,  and  all  those  who  have 
embarked  with  you  in  this  delightful  purpose.  Who 
have  given  birth  to  this  school  of  Christ  ?  A  small,  a 
very  small  number  of  Individuals ;  who  have  thus 
evangelically  testified, that  God  has  not  showered  wealth 
upon  them  in  vain.  This  honourable  disposal  of  prop- 
erty I  know  not  how  sufficiently  to  commend  :  while 
delicacy,  perhaps,  would  on  this  occasion,  forbid  me  to 
commend  it  at  all.  In  justice  to  my  own  feelings,  I 
cannot  avoid  saying,  that  it  is  property  nobly  consecrat- 
ed to  God,  to  Christianity,  to  the  salvation  of  mankind. 
Nor  can  I  hesitate  to  believe,  that  the  praise  of  the  Do- 
nors is  already  in  a  great  part  of  the  Churches  in  this 
land ;  or  that  the  Children  of  many  generations  xvill  rise 
up^  and  call  them  blessed.  Can  this  bright  example  of 
love  to  the  souls  of  men  be,  for  a  moment,  out  of  sight 
to  you,  or  any  of  your  coadjutors  in  this  benevolent 
design  ? 

The  present,  wonderful  j^Era  in  the  affairs  of  men 
furnishes  also  a  combination  of  the  most  solemn  in- 
ducements to  every  faithful  exertion  in  this  sacred  busi- 
ness.    The  ancient  establishments,  ci^'il,  literarv,  and 


24 

religious,  of  the  Old  World  are,  to  a  great  extent, 
crumbling  into  ruins.  The  throne  of  the  Romish  Hier- 
aiTh  is  shaken  to  its  base.  The  tottering  mosque  of 
Mahommedism  announces  its  own  approaching  fall. 
What  a  multitude  of  crowns  have  already  vanished, 
how  many  republics  have  been  wiped  away,  from  the 
fi  ce  of  the  eardi  ?  Look  at  the  kingdoms,  which  once, 
like  the  cedai's  of  Lebanon,  exalted  themselves  above 
all  the  trees  of  the  field.  The  st?'angers,  the  terrible  of 
the  nations^  have  cut  them  off;  and  the  people  of  the 
earth  have  gone  down  from  their  shadow.  Look  upon 
their  cities,  they  have  been  searched  with  candles. 
Their  goods  have  become  a  booty ;  and  their  houses  a 
desolation.  Look  at  their  Princes  and  Nobles.  Their 
Kings  have  gone  into  captivity;  their  Priests  and  their 
Princes  together.  They  have  called  the  Nobles  to  the 
kingdom;  but  none  were  there;  and  their  Princes  have 
become  nothing.  Look  to  their  fields.  They  ai^e  whit- 
ened with  human  bones ;  they  are  drenched  xvith  hu- 
man blood.  Mark  the  tempest  which  lowers  in  the 
eastern  skirt  of  the  heavens.  The  Lord  hath  his  way 
in  the  ivhirlwind  and  in  the  storm  ;  and  the  clouds  are 
the  dust  of  his  feet.  He  rtbuketh  the  sea^  and  maketh  it 
dry  ;  and  drieth  up  all  the  rivers.  Bashan  languisheth^ 
and  Carmely  and  the  fiower  of  Lebanon  languisheth. 
The  i7iountains  quake  at  him,  and  the  hills  melt ;  and 
the  earth  is  burnt  at  his  presence :  yea,  the  world  and 
all  that  dwell  therein. 

In  this  terrible  day,  as  in  every  other,  the  church  of 
God  is  the  safeguard  of  mankind ;  the  salt,  A\hich  keeps 
this  putrid  world  from  absolute  corruption.     For  its 


25 

safety,  its  peace,  and  its  prosperity,  at  all  times  the  first 
objects  of  benevolent  exertion,  and  the  most  dear  to  the 
heart  of  piety,  peculiar  efforts  are  now  demanded  ;  ef- 
forts, proportioned  in  their  vigour  to  the  greatness  of 
the  danger.  There  is  not  a  single  reason  for  discour- 
agement. The  gates  of  hell  cannot  prevail.  The  enemy 
ivill,  indeed,  come  in  like  a  Jlood ;  but  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  will  as  certainly  lift  up  a  standard  against  him. 

Such  a  standard  is  already  lifted  up.  Gloomy  and 
dreadful  as  is  the  aspect  of  the  political  horizon,  the 
Christian  world  has  already  roused  itself  from  the  slum- 
bers of  two  centuries,  and  with  a  spirit  of  prayer,  zeal, 
and  liberality,  scarcely  exampled,  has  wafted  the  Bible 
to  distant  nations,  and  planted  missions  in  the  region 
and  shadow  of  death.  In  the  East  and  the  West,  the 
North  and  the  South,  a  field  so  vast,  as  to  leave  the 
utmost  stretch  of  human  sight,  is  already  whitening  to 
the  harvest.  The  demand  for  faithful  labourers  mocks 
calculation.  "  Come  over  to  Macedonia^  and  help  uSy'' 
is  audibly  resounded  from  the  four  ends  of  the  earth. 
The  savages  of  the  West  advance  in  all  their  naked- 
ness, sin,  and  suffering  ;  and  exclaim,  "  When  shall 
the  nations,  which  sit  in  darkness ,  behold  the  light  of  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  ?  Ethiopia  already  stretches  forth 
her  hands  unto  God,  and  unto  his  Church.  The  na- 
tions of  the  East,  and  the  islands  of  the  sea,  already  wait 
for  his  law.  The  wilderness,  and  the  cities  thereof,  lift 
'up  their  voice  ;  the  villages  that  Kedar  doth  inhabit  : 
the  inhabitants  of  the  rock  sing  ;  they  shout  from  the 
fop  of  the  mountains. 


26 

For  Xioii's  sake,  my  Brethren,  let  us,  now,  not  hold 
our  peace  ;  for  Jerusalem'' s  sake  let  us  give  ourselves  no 
rest  ;  until  her  righteousness  go  forth  as  brightness,  a?icl 
her  salvation  as  a  lamp  that  burneth.  On  the  efforts  of 
the  present  generation,  and  on  ours,  if  we  are  faithful, 
as  truly  as  on  those  of  others,  depend  the  knowledge, 
the  piety,  the  salvation,  of  the  generations  yet  to  come. 
The  inheritance  of  those  who  are  unborn  is  b}'^  the  Father 
of  the  universe  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Christians  of 
this  age,  to  be  preserved,  and  managed.  As  faithful 
stewards,  let  us  transmit  the  divine  patrimony,  not  im- 
paired, but  improved.  Let  them  see,  that  the  trust 
has  been  faithfully  discharged  ;  and  enter  upon  the 
possession,  unimpoverished  by  the  negligence,  or  fraud, 
and  enriched  by  the  diligence,  care,  and  integrity,  of 
those  -who  have  gone  before  them. 

The  period,  my  Brethren,  is  hastening  ;  the  morn- 
ing star  will  soon  arise,  which  will  usher  in  that  illus- 
trious da}^,  destined  to  scatter  the  darkness  of  this 
melancholy  A\'orkl,  and  cover  the  earth  Avith  light  and 
glory  ;  the  second  birth- day  of  truth,  righteousness, 
and  salvation.  Soon  shall  the  Church  awake,  and  put 
on  strength.  Soon  shall  she  be  clothed  xvith  beautiful 
garments.  Soon  shall  she  behold  God  coining  xvith 
vengeance,  even  our  God  with  a  recompense,  to  save 
her  from  all  her  enemies.  Soon  shall  peace  be  extend- 
ed to  her  as  a  river  ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Gentiles  as  a 
Jloiving  stream.  "I'he  Jeivs,  provoked  to  jealousy,  and 
roused  from  the  torpor  of  eighteen  centm-ies,  shall  be- 
liokl  a  standard  lifted  up  among  the  jwtions,  and  an  en- 
sign  among  the  people,  summoning  tli(  m  r.j^ain  to  the 


27 

land  of  their  fathers,  and  to  the  kingdom  of  Go  d  .    Obe- 
dient to  the  divine  call,  Judali   and  Ephraim,  no  more 
twain,  but  one,  shall  hasten  from  the  remotest  regions 
of  their  dispersion ;  and  the  receiving  of  them  be  to  the 
world  as  life  from  the  dead.      The  heathen,  with  one 
immense  and  united  suffrage,  shall  cast  their  idols  to  the 
moles ^  and  to  the  hats.     Holiness  to  the  Lord  shall  he 
written^  alike,  on  all  the  enjoyments,  and  all  the  pur- 
suits, of  man.     The  earth  shall  become  one  vast  tem- 
ple of  Jehovah  ;  and  it's  morning  and  evening  incense 
shall  be  wafted  to  heaven  by  the  whole  family  oiAdam. 
In  effectuating  this  mighty  change,    this  universal 
renovation,  no  miracles  will  be  employed,  but  miracles 
of  grace.     The  grace  of  God,  the  true  alchemic  stone, 
which  transmutes  the  heart  of  rock  into  gold,  will  every 
where  accompany  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  and 
the  Evangelical  ministrations  of  men.     Ministers,  in- 
structed unto  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  faithful,  zealous, 
ivise^  and  thus  fitted  to  turn  many  to  righteousness,  will 
be  the  instruments,  by  which  the  Spirit  of  truth  will 
accomplish  this  divine  transformation.     To  form,  and 
furnish,  such  ministers,  therefore,  is  to  contribute  to 
this  glorious  work  ;  to   convey  the  blessing  down  to 
succeeding  ages,  and  to  the  remote  regions  of  the  earth ; 
to  awaken  the  song  of  transport  in  lands  yet  untravers- 
ed,  and  in  millions  yet  unborn  ;  to  become  benefactors 
to  the  nations  of  the  Millenium  ;  and  to  increase  the 
multitude,  the  happiness,  and  the  glory,  of  heaven. 

To  aid  this  exalted  purpose  what  labour  shall  be  spar- 
ed? Whose  prayers  shall  not  ascend  to  God  ?  Whose 
Jieart  shall  not  glow  with  benevolence  ?   Whose  arms 


28 

shall  not  be  strung  with  vigour  to  the  undertaking  ? 
Go  D  forbid,  that  any  of  those,  to  whom  either  the  in- 
i&truction,  or  the  management,  of  this  Seminary  is  en- 
trusted, should  be  slothful,  negligent,  heartless,  prayer- 
less,  or  unfaithful,  in  the  sacred  trust.  On  this  solemn 
occasion,  can  we  hesitate,  my  Brethren,  to  yield  our- 
selves, as  a  free-will  offerings  unto  God  ?  Shall  we  not, 
with  the  spirit  of  the  Psalmist,  say  to  the  Church,  whose 
interests,  in  one  important  sense,  he  has  committed  to 
our  care,  "  If  I  forget  thee,  0  Jerusalem,  let  my  right 
hand  forget  her  cunning  ;  let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the 
roof  of  my  mouth. ' ' 

With  the  same  views,  with  the  same  affections,  must 
this  school  of  Christ  be  regarded  by  the  inhabitants 
of  this  town,  and  its  vicinity.  In  the  midst  of  you,  my 
Friends  and  Brethren,  the  Creator  of  all  things  has  been 
pleased  to  plant  this  choice  vine.  Long  have  you  been 
favoured  with  peculiar  privileges.  God  has  been 
pleased  to  raise  up  in  the  midst  of  you  a  Family,  long 
distinguished  above  all  others,  in  this  land,  for  its  libe- 
rality to  Learning,  and  equally  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  Religion.*  The  blessings,  which  you  have  derived 
from  them,  added  to  the  innumerable  mercies  which 
Go  D  has  poured  in  upon  you  from  other  sources,  have 
made  your  lot  eminently  desirable.  The  infinite  Bene- 
factor is  now  giving  you  a  singular  token  of  his 
goodness.  This  plant,  we  trust,  our  heavenly  Father 
hath  planted.  I  need  not  tell  'you,  that  it  can  never 
flourish  in  a  moral  wilderness  ;  nor  that  its  proper  seat 
is  a  well  rvatered  garden,  a  fruitful  f  eld  which  the  Lo  R  :^ 

'  The  family  of  Phillips. 


29 

hath  planted.  Let  every  tiling  around  it  become  a& 
Eden.  Let  your  morals,  and  your  communications, 
be  such,  as,  instead  of  corrupting,  shall  improve,  and 
purify,  those  of  the  youths,  who  shall  be  sent  for  edu- 
cation to  this  school  of  the  Prophets.  Let  the  flame 
of  Piety,  kindled  all  around  them,  warm  their  hearts 
with  love  to  God,  to  their  Ministry,  and  to  the  salva- 
tion of  their  fellow- men. 

With  you,  with  us,  all  good  men,  who  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  nature  and  design  of  this  Institution, 
will  unite  their  best  wishes,  and  their  fervent  prayers, 
for  its  prosperity,  and  for  its  happy  influence  on  the 
salvation  of  mankind.  That  God  may  smile,  that  the 
dews  of  heaven  may  descend,  upon  it,  who,  that  loves 
Religion,  can  fail  earnestly  to  wish,  and  unceasingly 
to  pray.  O  thou  Father  of  all  mercies^  and  God  of 
all  grace  J  bow  thine  heavens^  and  come  down.  Delight 
to  dwell  here,  and  command  here,  from  generation  to 
generation,  thy  peculiar  blessing,  even  life  forevermore  ; 
through  Jesus  Christ,  thy  beloved  Son,  and  our  Sa- 
viour.        Amen. 


CHARGE. 

J 

BY  THE  REV.  JONATHAN  FRENCH. 

There  are  but  few  transactions  among  men,  in  their 
nature  and  consequences  more  solemn  and  important, 
than  that  of  consecrating  a  person  to  the  sacred  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry,  as  a  servant  of  the  most  high- 
Go  d,  to  show  unto  men  the  way  of  salvation. 

The  consecrating  prayer  and  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands  of  the  Presbytery  are  perhaps  the  only  rites, 
essential  to  this  solemn  transaction.  From  the  first  ages 
of  Christianity,  however,  a  solemn  charge  or  exhortation 
has  usually  been  given  to  the  person  ordained.  Having, 
agreeably  to  antient  usage,  performed  these  rites,  we 
now  declare  you.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Pearson,  "to  be 
"  ordained  and  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
"  istry,  in  whatever  part  of  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord 
"  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  may  occasionally  call 
"  you  to  labour."  In  particular,  you  are  to  co-operate 
with  other  Professors,  in  the  newly  founded  Theolo- 
gical Institution,  in  which,  it  is  contemplated,  a 
Church  will  in  time  be  gathered  and  established. 

We  now,  reverend  and  dear  Sir,  solemnly  exhort 
you  before  God,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  his 
elect  Angels,  to  take  heed  unto  thyself,  and  to  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  to  whom  you  may  be  called  to  minister  ; 
to  feed  them  with  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word.     Shun 


32 

fiot  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  Keep  notli- 
5ng  back,  that  may  be  profitable  to  them,  who  shall  hear 
you.  Put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God.  Hold  fast  the 
faithful  word,  that  you  may  be  able  both  to  exhort  and 
to  convince  gainsa}'^rs.  By  manifestation  of  the  Truth 
endeavour  to  commend  yourself  to  every  mans  con- 
science in  the  sight  of  God.  In  imitation  of  our  divine 
Master,  the  meek  and  humble  Jesus,  be  cloth?ed  with 
huttiility  ;  and  may  you  enter  on  the  arduous  duties  of 
your  office,  strengthened  with  the  armour  of  righteous- 
ness on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left.  Be  sensible  of 
your  continual  need  of  divine  light  and  grace.  Seek 
continually  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  and  with  energy 
defend  and  propagate  it  against  the  attacks  of  infidelity, 
in  what  form  soever  it  may  appear.  Be  watchful  against 
the  numerous  errors,  which  prevail,  and  are  levelled 
against  pure  morality,  true  piety,  and  the  very  founda- 
tion of  unadulterated  Christianity.  Be  vigilant,  be  zeal- 
ous, remembering  that,  while  men  slept,  the  enemy 
sowed  tares. 

Preach  the  word,  not  as  a  man  pleaser,  but  with  sin- 
gleness of  heart.  Amuse  not  your  hearers  with  unedi- 
fying  speculations  or  questions,  which  only  engender 
strife.  Though,  when  called  to  alarm  the  hardened 
sinner,  you  are  with  the  energy  of  St.  Paul,  knowing  the 
terrors  of  the  Lord,  to  persuade  men  ;  yet  be  thou  to 
the  returning  sinner,  like  Barnabas,  a  son  of  consolation. 
Assail  the  hosts  of  infidelity  with  the  boldness  and  res- 
olution of  Boanerges ;  but  to  them,  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  exhibit  the  mild,  the  en- 
gaging temper  and  affection  of  that  disciple^  who  leaned 


33 

©n  Jesus'  bosom.  In  all  your  discourses  remember 
the  momentous  consequences  of  what  you  deliver,  that 
the  word  will  be  a  savour  of  life  unto  life,  or  of  death 
unto  death. 

If  called  to  invest  others  with  the  sacred  office  of  the 
ministry,  remember  the  solemn  injunction  of  the  Apos- 
tle ;  "  lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man,  neither  be  par- 
*'  taker  of  other  men's  sins."  You  are  now  authorized 
to  administer  the  ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's 
supper  to  proper  subjects.  Wherever  you  are  called 
to  minister,  bless  the  people  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

In  managing  the  discipline  of  the  Church,  wherever 
this  may  be  incumbent  on  you,  regard  the  rules  pre- 
scribed, and  the  examples  exhibited,  by  our  divine 
Saviour  and  his  Apostles.  Do  nothing  by  partiality  ; 
but,  as  circumstances  may  require,  reprove,  rebuke^ 
and  exhort  with  all  long  suffering  and  patience.  Do 
the  work  of  an  Evangelist  in  all  things,  and  make  full 
proof  of  thy  ministry.  Often  peruse,  and  strictly  ob- 
serve, the  solemn  charges,  written  by  inspired  men  and 
recorded  in  the  sacred  word.  Discharge  the  duties  of 
your  office  with  that  meekness,  seriousness,  and  good 
fidelity,  which  the  gospel  requires. 

As  you  and  your  colleague  Professors  are  to  be 
heads  in  this  new  School  for  raising  up  of  our  sons 
for  Prophets,  and  of  our  young  men  for  Nazarites ;  great, 
very  great,  will  be  the  weight  of  duty  incumbent  on 
.you.  The  glorious  gospel,  you  are  called  to  teach,  was 
'  accounted  foolishness  by  the  learned  Greeks,  and  is  still 
scornfully  termed  foolishness  by  a  vain  philosophy,  and 
science  falsely  so  called.     It  becomes  you  to  consecrate 


a4 

your  literature  and  talents  to  the  important  purpose  of 
showing  that  the  religion,  which  the  scriptures  reveal, 
is  most  consistent  with  true  philosopliy  ;  a  science, 
ivhich  reason  approves  ;  and  the  power  of  God,  and 
the  wisdom  of  God  for  salvation,  to  every  one,  that 
believeth. 

From  your  known  character,  age,  capacity,  erudition, 
and  experience,  much  will  be  justly  expected  of  you  ; 
the  eyes  of  thousands  will  be  upon  you.  The  eyes  of 
the  benevolent  Founders  and  Benefactors  of  this  Insti- 
tution ;  the  eyes  of  its  Visitors  and  Trustees,  the  eyes 
of  the  Clergy,  the  eyes  of  the  friends  and  of  the  enemies 
of  religion,  will  be  upon  you.  Moreover  the  eyes  of 
the  elect  Angels,  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  and  the  eternal 
God,  will  be  upon  you.  Impressed  with  a  sense  of 
this  high  responsibility,  be  thou  faithful  unto  death  ; 
and  may  the  blessuig  of  thousands  come  upon  thee. 

Amen". 


HIGHT  HAND  OF  FELLOWSHIP; 

BY  THE  REV.  JEDIDIAH  MORSE,  D.  D. 


Singular  m  the  history  of  our  country  and  inter- 
esting in  a  high  degree  to  the  friends  of  the  Redeemer, 
are  the  transactions  of  this  day.  A  new  era  in  our 
Churches  now  commences;  and  events  may  be  ex- 
pected to  follow,  of  incalculable  moment  to  their  purity 
and  prosperity.  A  new  Institution,  the  offspring  of 
Christian  liberality,  broad  and  scriptural  in  its  founda- 
tion, richly  endowed,  consecrated  to  the  interests  of 
Evangelical  truth,  rises  to  bless  our  country. 

From  the  days  of  Samuel  the  prophet  Theological 
Institutions  have  existed  in  the  world,  whose  object 
has  been  to  educate  young  men,  of  competent  talents 
and  piety,  for  the  sacred  work  of  instructing  their  fel- 
low men  in  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  the  true  Re- 
ligion. 

The  men  appointed  over  the  first  schools  of  the 
prophet  as  Samuel,  Elijah,  and  Elisha,  were  men  di- 
vinely taught  of  God,  and  by  Him  ordained  to  the  sa- 
cred and  responsible  office.  They  and  their  pupils 
sustained  toward  each  other  the  endearing  relation  of 
fathers  and  sons.  My  father^  my  father^  exclaim- 
ed Elisha,  when  he  beheld  Elijah  his  master  ascend- 
ing to  heaven  in  a  chariot  of  fire  ;    having  been  fore 


35 

warned  of  the  event  by  the  sons  of  the  prophets,  who 
were  at  the  school  in  Jericho. 

Having  before  them  this  example  of  the  character  of 
the  Professors  in  the  first  Theological  Institutions,  es- 
tablished under  divine  direction,  the  Associate  Found- 
ers have  wisely  provided  in  their  Statutes,  that  their 
Professors  shall  be  ordained  Ministers  of  the  Gospel. 
Their  appointment  has  fallen  on  a  man,  whom  the  pub- 
lic voice  has  designated  to  the  high  and  responsible  of- 
fice, with  which  he  is  this  day  to  be  publicly  invested. 
His  age,  experience,  and  acquirements  in  human  and 
sacred  literature,  qualify  him  peculiarly  to  be  a  Father 
in  this  infant,  but  promising  Institution ;  and  also  to 
minister  in  holy  things,  and  to  break  the  bread  of  life, 
to  the  sons  of  the  prophets^  whom  Providence  shall 
place  under  his  instruction ;  and  to  others,  as  he  shall 
have  opportunity. 

This  day,  my  dear  Brother,  forms  an  interesting 
epoch  in  your  life.  Your  mind,  in  reviewing  the  past 
and  in  contemplating  the  future,  must  be  filled  with  va- 
rious emotions  of  thankfulness  and  solicitude.  Won- 
derful has  been  the  past ;  pregnant  with  great  events  is 
the  future.  The  Lord  hath  prospered  and,  we  confi- 
dently ti'ust,  will  prosper,  an  Institution,  which  you 
have  been  eminently  instrumental,  with  others,  in  rais- 
ing to  advance  his  glory,  and  the  best  good  of  mankind. 
Unceasing  praise  be  to  His  great  name. 

"  It  is  a  true  saying.  If  a  man  .desire  the  office  of  a 
bishop,  he  desiretha  good  work."  This  sacred  work, 
my  Brother,  was  your  early  choice  ;  and  though,  after  a 


36 

few  years  employment  in  it,  as  a  candidate,  Providence 
directed  you  to  occupy,  for  nearly  thirty  years,  diiferent, 
but  honourable  spheres  of  usefulness ;  yet,  during  that 
period,  you  have  not  ceased  to  desire  the  office,  which 
you  originally  contemplated.  This  desire,  though  not 
in  the  way  which  you  had  preferred  ;  yet  in  the  better 
way,  as  we  hope,  Avhich  divine  Provid'ence  has  prescrib- 
ed, is  now  accomplished.  You  have  received  ordination 
to  the  sacred  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  by  the  laying 
on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery. 

Perceiving  the  qualifications  and  gifts  with  which  the 
grace  of  God  hath  furnished  you,  for  preaching  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ,  and  for  training  up  young 
men  for  the  like  office ;  the  Council,  convened  for  your 
ordination,  have  directed  me,  in  their  name,  to  give  you 
the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship.  Take,  therefore,  my 
Brother,  this  right  hand.  Receive  it  as  a  symbol  of  our 
I  personal  friendship.  Receive  it  also,  and  especially,  as 
our  acknowledgment  that  you  sustain,  equally  with  us 
I  who  are  ordained  to  preach  the  gospel,  the  office  of  a 
\  minister  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  that  you  are  invested  with 
all  the  privileges  and  authority  belonging  to  the  sacred 
i  function.  By  this  friendly  token  we  bid  you  welcome, 
as  a  fellow  labourer  in  the  vineyard  of  our  common  Lord, 
We  doubt  not,  that  you  will  cheerfully  reciprocate  all 
Christian  acts  of  kindness  and  assistance,  which  are  ap- 
propriate to  this  honourable  office. 

We  have  witnessed  the  diligence  and  ability,  with  which 
1  you  have  discharged  arduous  and  complicated  duties, 
j  belonging  to  the  respectable  stations,  which  you  have  al- 


37 

ready  filled.  This  fiimishes  a  satisfying  pledge  of  your 
future  fidelity  in  the  still  more  important  offices,  which 
you  now  sustain. 

We  rejoice  that  God,  in  his  wise  and  good  Provi- 
dence, has  assigned  this  favoured  spot,  as  the  place  of 
your  residence,  and  honoured  you  as  one  of  the  princi- 
pal agents  in  founding  this  School  of  the  prophets. 
May  the  Church,  which  is  to  be  here  established  and 
placed  under  the  joint  care  of  the  Professors,  become  as 
a  well  watered,  skilfully  cultivated,  and  plentifully  fur- 
nished, nursery  for  our  American  Churches  ;  from 
whence  shall  be  successively  transplanted  Trees  of  Right- 
eousness; Plants  of  renown^  which  shall  flourish  and 
bear  abundance  of  the  fruits  of  holiness,  in  the  courts 
of  our  God. 

May  you,  dear  Sir,  your  fellow  Professors,  and  your 
pupils  ;  may  the  Trustees  and  Visitors  of  this  Institu- 
tion, and  its  venerable  and  respected  Founders,  contin- 
ually enjoy  the  presence,  direction,  and  blessing  of  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church. 

Were  the  departed  spirits  of  those  Worthies,  who  in 
their  heaven- inspired  wisdom  and  pious  charities,  in  the 
name  of  Jehovah,  laid  broad  the  foundation,  of  this  lit- 
erary and  religious  Seminary,  and  consecrated  it  to  His 
honour ; — were  the  venerable  spirits  of  these  men  now 
present  with  us,  (and  who  can  say  they  are  not)  and  wit- 
nesses of  the  transactions  of  this  day ;  doubtless  they 
would  mingle  their  praises  with  ours,  to  the  God  of 
heaven  and  of  earth.  Most  cordially  would  they  join 
their  prayers  with  ours  to  Him,  in  whom  dwelleth  allful- 


38 

ness  of  grace,  that  blessings  in  abundance  may  be  pour- 
ed down  from  above,  on  this  hitherto  prospered  Institu- 
tion, that  so  its  increasing  influence  may  be  purifying 
and  healthful  to  the  Churches  of  Christ ;  be  deeply  and 
happily  felt  m  every  part  of  our  land,  and  endure,  as  the 
Sun  and  the  Moon,  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


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